Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC)

The Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) is the heart of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. It monitors events around the globe and ensures rapid deployment of emergency support in the aftermath of major disasters, including those worsened by climate change, such as drought, wildfire, etc. The ERCC coordinates the delivery of assistance to disaster-stricken countries, such as relief items, expertise, civil protection teams and specialised equipment.

The centre ensures the rapid deployment of emergency support and acts as a coordination hub between all EU Member States, the 7 additional participating states, the affected country, and civil protection and humanitarian experts. The ERCC operates 24/7 and can help any country inside or outside the EU affected by a major disaster upon request from the national authorities or a UN body. 

The ERCC also manages a reserve of pre-committed assistance from EU Member States and participating states that can be immediately deployed. These countries may commit resources on standby in a pool, ready to be deployed as part of a faster and more coherent European response when the need arises. The quality of the response is ensured through the establishment of quality criteria and a certification process.